YG’s new girl group is getting launched soon, will BLACKPINK be able to maintain their popularity as before?
BLACKPINK’s fandom has recently been stirred up by the rumor of YG delaying BLACKPINK‘s comeback to prioritize the debut of a new girl group in 2022. Although this information has not been confirmed, it has caused a lot of BLACKPINK fans to lash out at YG.
Here are the reasons why many fans feel “threatened” when YG is about to launch a new girl group. Will “BLACKPINK’s little sister” affect the future promotions and position of BLACKPINK in Kpop?
1. 2022 – the “golden” time to compete for the top of Kpop 4th generation
With the success of aespa in 2021, as well as recent and upcoming debuts of outstanding rookies like IVE, KEP1ER or JYP and HYBE’s girl groups, 2022 promises to be the “golden time” for the race between 4th generation female idols. Without any further delay, YG is expected to launch their new girl group soon, otherwise they will be left behind.
During this important time, YG must have come up with a strategic plan for “BLACKPINK’s junior girl group”. The company has no choice but to prioritize the rookie girl group in 2022. If BLACKPINK makes a comeback before this girl group debuts, BLACKPINK‘s fame and impact will overshadow their juniors. Therefore, it is likely that YG will focus on debuting the new girl group first, that means BLACKPINK‘s long-awaited comeback will have to be pushed back.
2. YG’s tradition: New one in, old one out!
This frustrating tradition of YG is no stranger to those who have been fans of YG artists since the 2nd generation. YG creates famous groups, but their management can be troublesome and unprofessional. YG tends to be overly dependent on the same team of producers, rarely hiring outside producers to make music for their artists. Therefore, YG artists cannot make frequent comebacks, resulting in the situation: senior groups “giving up” the producer’s time for junior groups.
Fans are worried that YG will “abandon” BLACKPINK to focus on the new girl group. This is not a groundless concern, because back in 2009-2010, when 2NE1 just made their debut, there was a time YG was criticized for neglecting BIGBANG, causing V.I.Ps to file complaints to the company. In 2016, YG concentrated on BLACKPINK‘s debut, and could no longer take good care of 2NE1, causing the group to end up in disbandment.
Of course, BLACKPINK is currently still the No. 1 YG girl group, making the most profit for the company. It does not make sense for YG to give that up. But YG not giving all the best to BLACKPINK like when the group first debuted is “foreseeable”. Every company operates with a business purpose, and wants to generate profits as quickly as possible. So in order to accelerate the rate of profit for the new girl group, they must be given priority.
BLACKPINK will eventually have a comeback, but the group is unlikely to release new music 3 separate times like in 2020, or constantly appear in new contents like in 2016-2017…
3. Generational transition
During the generational transition from 3rd to 4th generation occurring in 2021, it can be seen that the public is very interested in the new generation of idol groups. In 2022, Gen 4 groups promise to continue to break through and turn the Kpop race into their own game.
The fact that BLACKPINK has a long hiatus period, or the debut of a new girl group from YG, may cause a part of BLACKPINK fans to switch to the group’s junior idols. It’s a reality that can happen to any K-pop group.
4. Potential of YG’s new girl group
Fans are also concerned about BLACKPINK‘s future because the new female member may take over the group’s “queen” position! Of course, BLACKPINK is unlikely to be dethroned quickly, but with good songs and YG‘s rigorous training process, the new female group is likely to become the new queens in the future.
YG is currently keeping the new girl group under wraps. So far, no details about the group’s name, members, or concept have been published. The group’s name is believed to be Baby Monster, according to Korean media. Industry sources expect that this will be a girl group that retains YG‘s hip-hop vibe yet have different colors and images from BLACKPINK. According to some rumors, Baby Monster will have five members.
In August 2021, Noh Hee Young, CEO of YG Foods, mentioned YG‘s new girl group in a conversation on Hotdog TV: “YG Entertainment is busy producing the first girl group to be launched after BLACKPINK. They’re called ‘BABYMONSTERS’ or something like that. They’re like 10 JENNIEs in BABYMONSTERS.” Ms. Noh also said that these rookies have a lot of potential and fans can have high expectations for the group.
The public becomes increasingly interested in the group as more information about it is kept a secret. As YG‘s next hip-hop girl group, called “BLACKPINK sister,” the girls got high expectations from the public! Will BLACKPINK be able to uphold its reputation in face of a new generation of young, attractive, and talented juniors? Let’s see what happens in the year 2022!
